F O R   I M M E D I A T E   R E L E A S E

Contact: Captain Bill Sheehan, Riverkeeper and Executive Director

Hackensack, NJ – Now that the waiting is over and the Mills Corporation has been selected to re-develop the Continental Arena site, Hackensack Riverkeeper, the citizen-steward of the Hackensack River watershed, is both glad and optimistic. "We're glad that the year-long 'beauty pageant' is over," said Capt. Bill Sheehan referring to the applicants' almost daily jockeying for position and attempts to curry favor with the public. "We look forward to working with the agencies and the Mills Corporation to make sure that the redevelopment is well-planned and environmentally sound," he added, "The real bottom line is the fact that we have saved the Empire Tract."

Throughout the preceding twelve months, Hackensack Riverkeeper and its colleagues at the Hackensack Meadowlands Partnership were included in high-level negotiations and meetings with each of the principal players involved. The Partnership met with NJ Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) President George Zoffinger on various occasions and with each of the three finalists (Mills, Hartz Mountain and Westfield) to discuss the particulars of each proposal. "Mr. Zoffinger set a place for us of a place at the table and we meticulously evaluated the environmental merits of each proposal," said Capt. Sheehan, "and while we made no endorsement, it was obvious that by offering to donate the Empire Tract for conservation, Mills was certainly the front-runner."

Hackensack Riverkeeper supports the Tract being deeded to the Meadowlands Conservation Trust, which would ensure its permanent preservation.

From its founding in 1997, Hackensack Riverkeeper consistently and vehemently opposed any Mills plan that would have required filling wetlands on the 600-acre Tract. The organization also helped to found two successful coalitions: the Hackensack Meadowlands Preservation Alliance (1998) and the Meadowlands Partnership (2000) and worked with the NJ State Federation of Women's Clubs on a statewide petition drive in support of the establishment of a wildlife refuge in the Meadowlands.

Hackensack Riverkeeper fully supports the upcoming environmental review process which is the next step before construction can begin. According to Capt. Sheehan, "That process must be a fully public undertaking to give everyone an opportunity to make their concerns known." It is expected that the review process will be chaired jointly by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the NJ Meadowlands Commission (NJMC). Both agencies are committed to preserving the 7,000 acres of marshes remaining within the Meadowlands District. "They are also working with Rep. Steve Rothman (D-NJ 9^th ) to make his vision of a Meadowlands Park a reality," said Capt. Sheehan, "and Steve's vision is our vision."

The "real work" as defined by Capt. Sheehan, are the negotiations that will take place between the NJSEA and Mills now that the deal has been struck. It's quite likely that the full-page ad version of "Xanadu" will not be the same as what's finally built. During preliminary talks, Mills promised to incorporate mass transit, environmentally-friendly building techniques and a stormwater management plan consistent with new state guidelines in addition to the Empire Tract donation. Now that the selection process is complete, Hackensack Riverkeeper is urging Mills to officially withdraw its current permit application with the Army Corps of Engineers.

"We've won," said Capt. Sheehan.